Serbian FA bans players and staff following incidents at the under-21 international against England in Krusevac

The Serbian Football Association has confirmed Nikola Ninkovic and Ognjen
Mudrinski have been suspended from playing in all national teams for a year,
following incidents at the Under-21 international against England in
Krusevac on October 16.

Sanctioned: two players and two coaches have been banned by the Serbian FA for their involvement in the ugly scenes during the U21 qualifier against England at the Mladost Stadium in KrusevacPhoto: ACTION IMAGES

Serbia have banned four of the players and coaches involved in the brawl with England during last week’s European Under-21 Championship qualifier as they attempt to appease Uefa.

Ognjen Mudrinski and Nikola Ninkovic will not be considered for international selection for 12 months following an investigation and the Serbia Football Federation will hope this tempers any Uefa punishment.

Two coaches, Srdjan Maksimovic and Andreja Milutinov, have also been suspended for two years for their part in the incident.

Serbia had already been warned about the behaviour of their supporters following a series of incidents on the international stage before England’s black players were racially abused by fans in Krusevac.

England won 1-0 and were pelted with missiles as they celebrated Connor Wickham’s injury-time goal. Sunderland defender Danny Rose was attacked by the opposition after he kicked the ball into the stands in protest at racist chanting, sparking a mass confrontation as England players tried to reach the dressing room.

A statement read: “All four have violated the FSS ethics and fair-play code.”

The FSS has denied the racism charges, which will be decided by Uefa’s disciplinary committee on Nov 22. Uefa President Michel Platini said on Tuesday that Serbia could face tough sanctions if television footage proved home fans made monkey chants at Rose.

“Over a year ago we gave Croatia and Serbia a serious yellow card, now we will see what the disciplinary committee will decide,” he said. “We will get the report from the delegates and the report from the officials, we have the television footage - the disciplinary committee will deal with it.”